Device for preventing fraudulent refilling of bottles



(No Model.)

P. MQGOY. DEVIGB' FOR PREVENTING FRAUDULENT RBFILLING 0F BOTTLES.

No. 538,974. PatentedMay '7, 1895.

- Wiwwes: I I fizz /eizfor; Pam-Cir M 6 NITED STAT S PATRICK MCCOY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING FRAUDULENT REFILLING OF BOTTLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,974, dated May 7, 1895.

7 Application filed October 2, 1894:. Serial No. 524,713. (No model.)

To 0% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PATRICK MoCoY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Preventing the Fraudulent Refilling of Bottles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of an apertured plug adapted to be secured in the neck of a bottle and a valve below the same, constructed and combined in a manner to permit of pouring the contents from the bottle but preventing the refilling thereof, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a section through the neck of the bottle, showing my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a similar section showing the parts in position, with the bottle inverted, as in the act of pouring.

A represents the neck of the bottle in which is formed the inwardly extending flange'B and above which is the annular groove 0. Resting on a bearing at the inner edge of the flange B is the cup shaped valve D, which is of a diameter corresponding nearly to the inner diameter of the neck, being just large enough to be inserted into the neck freely. The groove 0 surrounds the top of the valve, which projects above the side of the flange B. Centrally of this valve and projecting downwardly in the neck, free from the sides thereof at all times is the ball or weight E, formed integral with the valve, the whole being preferably made of glass.

'F is a plug adapted to fit snugly into the neck of the bottle, which tapers slightly, contracting downwardly, so that the plug may be pushed to a tight seat in the neck of the bottle where it may be cemented in position, its lower edge being slightly above the top of the valve. 7

G is a central passage through the plug directly above the center of the valve. Around the lower edge of this aperture is a downwardly extending flange H and at points around this flange are the lugs or teeth I, upon which the inner face of the valve will rest in the upturned position of the bottle, so as to always leave a passage between the valve and the plug, as plainly shown by the arrow in Fig.2. In this position of the parts it will be seen the edge of the valve extends into the groove J, between the flange H and the neck of the bottle.

At the top of the plug G is the inward extending flange L, which serves as a guard to prevent the insertion of wire or other implements at such an angle as to permit of their being engaged over the edge of the valve, at the same time allowing the free egress of the fluid.

The parts being thus constructed their operation is as follows: The bottle being filled and. the device being inserted in the neck, the user may pour it readily by inverting it, as shown in Fig. 2, which will cause the valve to drop upon the lugs I away from the seat on the flange B and present an unobstructed passage around the edge of the valve and over the flange in the manner described. Now, if it is attempted to refill the bottle it will be evident, from an inspection of Fig. 1, that any fluid poured therein will fill the cup M in the valve, which will aid in holding it to its seat, audit the bottle is turned to an inclined position, the weight E will still hold the valve to its seat, on account of the spherical shape of the outer face of the valve. In-t-urning the bottle around to unseat the valve the spherical weight E will roll around the neck of the bottle and always act to hold the valve in its proper closed position.

WVhat I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination with the neck of a. bottle having an inwardly extending flange B, of a cup shaped weighted valve supported on a seat on the upper face thereof, an apertured block secured on the neck' of the bottle above the valve, having the flange H and lugs I on its lower edge, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the neck of a bottle, of the flange B extending inwardly therefrom, and the grooves O on its inner surface above that flange, of the cup shaped valveD having the spherical enlargement E, centrally depending therefrom, the plug F having the central aperture therethrough, the annular flange H at the bottom of the plug around the aperture, the lugs I on that flange and the flange L at the top of the plug extending around the aperture, the parts being arranged,

substantially as and for the purpose (1eseribed. 10

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PATRICK MCCOY. Witnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERTY, L. J. WHITTEMORE. 

